Cumulative solar photovoltaic capacity by select country, as of 2022 (Gigawatts)
REN21
29 Jun 2023
In 2022, China led global solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, achieving a cumulative capacity of 414.5 GW, more than twice that of the European Union's. The EU made significant strides, increasing its solar power generation capacity by 25% from 167.5 GW in 2021 to 208.9 GW in 2022, with Germany leading in solar installations. Japan, however, has faced challenges in expanding its solar capacity due to geographic constraints like its mountainous terrain, susceptibility to natural disasters, and high population density, which limits the available space for large-scale solar installations. In 2023, China further increased its solar power capacity by 55.2%, adding over 216 GW, supported by government subsidies, tax incentives, and supportive policies aimed at promoting solar energy growth. Meanwhile, India has made advances in gaining more solar investments, securing $3.8 billion in foreign direct investment over the past three years through September 2023. Despite this progress, India's renewable energy projects faced challenges in 2023, including delays and uncertainties stemming from policy decisions, political factors, and supply chain disruptions. In the European Union, Germany and the Netherlands have been key players in solar development. However, a shifting focus towards wind energy indicates that future solar capacity expansions in these countries may be limited.
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